Rembrandt van Rijn

Rembrandt van Rijn - a genius of the Baroque era

Rembrandt van Rijn, also known simply as Rembrandt, was a Dutch painter of the Baroque era. He is considered one of the most important artists of all time. He created a large number of paintings, etchings and drawings, and the language of his paintings is considered unique. More than almost any other artist, he succeeded in capturing the emotions and feelings of the people he portrayed. His pictures are characterised by strong contrasts of light and dark - also known in art as chiaroscuro. This exquisite technique, which he perfected, enabled him to depict situations and their moods impressively.

Rembrandt van Rijn - chiaroscuro painting

Chiaroscuro painting is characterised by a particularly pronounced contrast of light and shadow. The light-coloured objects are usually in the foreground against a very dark background, which reinforces the impression of three-dimensionality in the painting. The situation or portrait is staged as if on a stage. This type of presentation literally draws the viewer into the picture. The important things are emphasised by the light, while the unimportant things remain in the dark and hidden. This heightens the drama of the picture, increasing the emotional tension.

Rembrandt van Rijn - his life

Rembrandt was born on 15 July 1606 in Leiden, a Dutch university town. He grew up with eight siblings in a wealthy Müller family. After leaving school and briefly attending university, he completed an apprenticeship as a painter with Jacob van Swanenburgh in his home town. He had a lot of self-confidence, knew he had talent, and was courageous and motivated. He therefore set up his own studio in Leiden. After his first successes - which included selling paintings to the English royal family - he moved to Amsterdam. Here he quickly rose to become one of the most influential painters of his time and received important commissions from wealthy merchants and important personalities. He achieved great wealth and prestige.

When he married Saskia van Uylenburg in 1634, he started his own family. The couple had four children, three of whom died shortly after birth. When his wife Saskia also died in 1642, his life changed. He became restless and his productivity, which had been high until then, decreased significantly. As a result, the talented artist found himself in financial difficulties. He became embroiled in disputes over maintenance payments and inheritance matters, constantly had to borrow money and was eventually declared insolvent. His move to a socially deprived neighbourhood in Amsterdam sealed his social decline. He died in poverty in 1669 at the age of 63.

Rembrandt van Rijn - a selection of his paintings

According to the latest findings of art experts, Rembrandt is now credited with around 350 paintings, 300 etchings and around 1000 drawings. His main field of activity was portraits, self-portraits, group portraits and landscapes. His paintings achieve top prices at auctions and hang in renowned galleries and museums around the world. We offer a fine selection of artworks with which you can set stylish accents in your living or working spaces.

One of his most famous and mysterious paintings is ‘The Night Watch’. It is a group portrait depicting a guild of marksmen in front of a building. Two men stand in the foreground, bathed in bright light. The dark-clad man is the captain, the man in the yellow-coloured uniform is a lieutenant. A girl, also dressed in yellow, can be seen in the background. Rembrandt has also focussed a great deal of light on her. Some of the other figures blend so much into the dark background that it is almost impossible to recognise any details. Nevertheless, the viewer's gaze wanders endlessly over the entire scene. The pleasant and seemingly random staggering of the figures, who look in different directions, makes the picture extraordinarily lively. The Night Watch" is rightly regarded as an absolute masterpiece.

Another highlight is ‘The Man in the Golden Helmet’. The mysterious picture is kept very dark. It shows an older man wearing a very bright and finely crafted helmet. The helmet is decorated with feathers and is brought into focus by the incident light. The face of the man portrayed and his personality recede into the background. In Rembrandt's time, a helmet like this was considered a rare splendour that only particularly powerful people could afford. This work of art is one of the most popular paintings by the exceptional Dutch artist and a real eye-catcher.

The famous painting ‘The Anatomy Lesson’ was Rembrandt's first commission for a group portrait. Seven surgeons are receiving a practical anatomy lesson from Dr Tulp. Dr Tulp is the most senior in this scene, which is emphasised by the fact that he is allowed to keep his hat on. The left forearm of a dead man lying on a stretcher is being dissected. Here, too, the artist plays with light in a subtle way: he creates a very lively and expressive depiction. The viewer is drawn in and feels like a participant in the action. This work of art can enrich any room with its effect - for example in doctors' surgeries, law firms, in the study or entrance area.

Rembrandt van Rijn - for an inspiring atmosphere

In addition to those just listed, you will also find other beautiful murals, such as fine landscapes and religious motifs. Rembrandt's art is absolutely timeless. He knows how to directly address and touch the viewer with his paintings. The complexity of his works of art is inspiring and helps to create a cultivated and interesting atmosphere.

The materials we use emphasise these qualities of his skill. In addition to canvas, glass pictures and posters, we also offer round aluminium dibond pictures with a material thickness of 3 mm. On request, you can also purchase a matching LED light ring for indirect lighting for a round aluminium dibond or a round wooden picture. This accessory can be used to further intensify the cosy and homely atmosphere created by Rembrandt's artwork.